Upcoming Solo Exhibition - Saint Lazare’s Library

Last December I had the pleasure to be invited to prepare a solo exhibition by the Saint Lazare library. I owe a big THANK YOU for this opportunity to the City of Saint-Lazare that helps promoting local emerging artists and make art more accessible to the public.

Their offer was more than I could imagine: a solo exhibition for the month of April 2022 and exposure in the local community. As soon as I agreed to it, I started working on a new series. An abstract series that illustrates the invisible symptoms of chronic illness.

“Love Craddle” - acrylic artwork by Lavi Picu

My inspiration for this series was a microscope image of the Borrelia burdorferi bacteria (the main culprit for Lyme disease) , on a dark field. The moment I laid my eyes on it, I was puzzled. I asked myself how come something so beautiful could cause so much damage in one’s body. I had this image embedded in my mind for more than a decade.

It was only when I start using fluorescent paint that I had an epiphany. All of the sudden, I realized that I could translate into canvas the image I ‘ve had in my head for all these years. What better way to illustrate something invisible (invisible symptoms) than fluorescent paint? Hidden from the naked eye in plain day light, but visible into UV black light? Just like Lyme, hidden in plain sight!

My rallying for Lyme awareness took a new turn with usage of fluorescent paint. From recreating the organic feeling of the bacteria into canvas and depicting its journey through one’s flesh, emphasizing the damage it can do, seen at a cellular level but also from a global perspective.

The upcoming exhibition consists on over 30 new abstract artworks of various sizes (from 12” x 12” to 48” x 48”) which will be displayed throughout the Library of Saint-Lazare as of April 6th, 2022 until the end of the month.

Here is a page from the latest Bulletin of the city, presenting the spring / summer activities offered by the city for the community, my vernissage / exhibition included.

If you didn’t pass by the library yet, you have still time, as the exhibition will continue until April 28th!